The Springboks were among three teams from the south that won their Nations Championship Tests this past weekend.
The inaugural Nations Championship kicked off on Saturday, with three teams from the north and three from the south claiming victories in the first round of the tournament.
The south made the best possible start on Saturday morning, when the All Blacks clinched a 34-32 bonus-point win against France in Christchurch. Les Bleus – who were missing several frontline players – did enough to salvage a losing bonus point and finish within the +12 handicap (1.95).
Japan secured the upset of the round when they thumped Italy 27-10 in Tokyo. The Brave Blossoms may have started the contest at 3.40 underdogs, but they were more than deserving of the win on the day – although they fell agonisingly short of a four-try bonus point.
Action From Sydney And Cardiff
The north hit back In Sydney, with Ireland hanging on for a 33-31 win. The Wallabies came within one penalty of an upset, and Ben Donaldson's late miss would have cost brave punters who took the 2.10 bet on an Australian win.
There was another upset of sorts in Cardiff, with Wales defying the 2.20 odds to beat a more fancied Fiji 39-24. The Dragons went on to finish the round at the top of the northern conference, thanks to their superior points-difference.
Springboks Dominance And Scotland Upset
Up in Johannesburg, the Boks overcame a second-quarter stumble to hammer England 45-21. Cheslin Kolbe scored 15 points while the hosts crossed the tryline seven times.
In the end, England didn't get close to finishing within the +16 handicap, and the result catapulted the Boks to the top of the southern conference.
Ahead of the the final game of the round in Cordoba, many predicted that Argentina would win and that Scotland would finish within the +9 handicap. On the day, however, Scotland proved the superior side, winning 47-38.
Gregor Townsend's charges went into the clash as 3.80 underdogs, and anyone who took that bet will be thrilled with the outcome.
Upcoming Nations Championship Fixtures
The Nations Championship action continues this weekend, with the All Blacks tackling Italy in Wellington, the Wallabies fronting France in Brisbane, and Japan meeting Ireland in Newcastle.
Following their loss to South Africa, England have travelled all the way back to Liverpool for a clash against Fiji. The Boks host Scotland in Pretoria on Saturday evening, while Argentina face Wales in San Juan in the final game of the round.
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